By DANIELLE LEWIS

“I wanted to coordinate a Science Exploration Day for the girls at MST because I know how intimidating it can be to have an interest in a STEM profession as a female.”

Elizabeth Quaye, Co-Chair of the WiSE Outreach Committee and a Pharmacology and Toxicology major

Students from the Women in Science and Engineering (WiSE) program visited the Math Science Technology Preparatory School (Buffalo Public School 197) on Monday, April 16, 2018, where they offered Science Exploration Day.

The event was spearheaded by junior Elizabeth Quaye, co-chair of the WiSE Outreach Committee and a pharmacology and toxicology major.

When asked what motivated her to coordinate the Shadow Day, Quaye shared: “I wanted to coordinate a Science Exploration Day for the girls at MST because I know how intimidating it can be to have an interest in a STEM profession as a female. Often times it seems too hard, unrealistic and isolating because of the lack of diversity. So the event was meant to show them that there are students and faculty who have been in their position and have overcome those obstacles to become successful. The experiments signified just how fun and interesting science can be and how the most mundane things, like liquid nitrogen and flowers, can have a larger significance to the field of science."

In addition to conducting science experiments together, the UB and MST students enjoyed a conversation about college admissions and career goals with School of Engineering and Applied Sciences Dean Liesl Folks.

A History of Community Impact

Last fall, students from the WiSE Outreach Committee coordinated a Shadow Day, which brought 25 10th grade women from the Math Science Technology Preparatory School to visit UB’s north campus. The event included a welcome reception for the high school students, a tour of multiple Engineering labs led by Dean Folks, lunch and a panel with current UB students. Each Math Science Technology Preparatory School student was also matched and attended a class with a UB student majoring in a field in which she has expressed interest. The goal of the event was to help the young women, who are all participants in the NYGEAR UP program, envision what their life could be like if they choose to pursue a STEM discipline at UB.

Recently, the WiSE Outreach Committee was awarded the Community Impact Award by the Center for Student Engagement for their sustained efforts to increase the representation of women in STEM. This award recognizes one organization, group or club that has demonstrated exemplary leadership and made a significant impact in the UB community and Buffalo. Elizabeth Quaye and Danielle Lewis, coordinator of the WiSE program, were on hand to accept the award.

Danielle Lewis (left) and Elizabeth Quaye accepting the Community Impact Award from the Center for Student Engagement